Hi, this is my first topic start on here...

I did a couple searches and I guess I just couldn't get the right phrasing as I'm sure this has been discussed on here before, but...

I am amazed at the amount of S2Ks in with low milage on Auto Trader, but I'm wondering what mileage would be too high for you to buy the car...

I totally understand these are Hondas (I have an Accord Coupe with 140k) and condition is more important than milage, but still...

I'll be looking for a car that will be my main driver for the majority of the time so I'm a little spooked with something in the 70-80k range... I should be able to afford something around $20-25k, so I'm sure I can get lower milage but I guess I'd just like to get your all's opinions on this...

Also on the other end of the spectrum, should I be spooked by an '04 with 25-30k miles? That seems absurdly low to me....

Thanks all and I look forward to learning a lot here!

Chris

 

Some of these cars, just like other special cars, are driven just for fun. That may not amount to much. I flew with a guy who has an early Viper and he does not have 3000 miles on it. He just likes to look at in his garage.

I have 2 other DDs and that term is not good for me as I only drive to the airport once or twice a month. All other driving is for errands or fun. I have been putting on about 5K miles a year on my S. My S is an 09 and I got it two years ago with 31K miles. Bone stock. $27. Phoenix car. Older guy.

Others put about 15K a year on them as DDs. Don't think you are looking for those.

Don't be spooked, be happy.

 

Buy the lowest mileage S you can find that HAS been cared for. It can work both ways: you could find a super low mileage one that has been beaten to death; you could find a high mileage one that is immaculate. And vice versa. Mileage is pretty dismissive on this car; there are plenty that are going strong at over 200k miles, and a few over 300k. I personally drove my last 02' to 140k+ and never had to do anything but brake pads/rotors, tires and oil changes. 1 timing chain tensioner. Still ran just as good as my current 01 at 50k miles. I wouldn't overlook a clean example with 70-100k miles if the price was right, as long as it was cared for and didn't have over 2 owners. That's another thing: 4-5 owners usually isn't a good sign. Check your carfax reports on all prospects. And no, that 04 isn't suspiciously low mileage at all. I've seen 00-03's with less than 10k on them. And there's one for sale somewhere, spa yellow 02 with like 788 miles or something for 30k...

Don't be spooked by a DD either, as long as it's someone who is meticulous about maintenance, both mechanical and cosmetic. Like me . My 01 looks better than a lot of 1 year old sports cars

 

I was talking to a guy the other day. He steps up and asks me, " I bet that thing does fantastic burnouts!?!?" It actually has never crossed my mind. Ive never done a burnout and wouldnt consider it. My point is you never know what kind of miles they are. Mileage will peak my interest but it will not make the choice. You need to feel the car, experience as many examples of what you want to buy before you buy it, that way you know what you're getting.
Just being overly cautious and paranoid about a certain year with a certain amount miles is useless IMO.

 

To get on top of this thread, there are miles, hard miles and abusive miles. Hard miles are not the same as abusive miles. Abusive miles would include excessive burnouts and launches, which are bad for the clutch and diff. Hard miles are just high revving and high G like the car was designed for.

I am/was the third owner of both my previous AP1 and my current AP2. I bought them both in the 70-80k range and they were nothing but reliable. The AP1 was babied by two people who it was their weekend/mid-life crisis car before I owned it. My AP2 was that to its first owner, and was a regional podium finisher STR autocross car with its second one. I now HPDE the car and have yet to have a real problem (ie not something I caused). I have never been afraid this car will strand me or break on-track unless I put it into a tire wall or money shift it.

These cars are meant to be driven hard, and I guarantee you most were. I didn't hesitate to buy the car from someone running podium-level autocross because they put everything back to stock for me, and I was absolutely certain he was meticulous about maintenance, as most people competing at that level are. I'm the same way, oil at 3k, diff at 10k, tranny at 15k, and brake fluid at least once a year. The major ~100k services will get done when the book says to. I go through tires and brakes faster than your average driver, but that just happens when you track.

About you being spooked by low miles - many of these were mid-life crisis weekend-only cars. It is not abnormal for one to see the road less than 30 days a year. If you're looking at one, make sure it's PPIed, and check the rubber parts for dry rt in case it's sat too long just to be cautious.

 

For 20-25k you'll be able to find a excellent condition s2000. Just test drive a bunch to know how they should drive. My the recommendation is to have a shop inspect the car and do a compression test. Also look to make sure it has all original vin tags. Link below

http://picasaweb.google.com/m/viewer...84875214751249.


Then once you get one change all the fluids and have a blast!

 

I just picked up an 07 with 93k miles on it earlier this week. I'm not going to lie... I was a bit hesitant with that mileage on the odometer but it was in near-perfect condition.

I took it for a test drive and the clutch/tranny were still butter smooth and there was no hesitation or gritty feel anywhere. I took her home for ~18k including a complimentary 2yr/30k power train warranty from a respectable dealership.

I'm not worried about mileage on mine, going to replace the spark plugs this weekend just to be sure!

 

Is there a such thing a "too high"? I agree with a lot of others, as long as it's been well taken care of, then a high-mileage S2000 should be fine and last a long time. Definitely do your research and know what to look for though.

 

Thanks All!

" make sure it's PPIed"

I think I might have an idea what this means, but am not sure...

 

It's just a matter of how well it's been taken care of. Check number of owners it's been through, if there are any accidents in it's history, and how well it's been cared for.

My current S2K wasn't taken care of as well as it should have been, but it was one owner and in relatively good condition with no major faults. (It also came with about $5k in extras that I couldn't pass up.) After a little bit of work, the car now has 140K+ miles on it and I wouldn't hesitate to drive it cross country.

Just make sure to thoroughly research and inspect whatever car you're considering to make sure it's not going to turn around and bite you in the butt. Check the forums to see what items you may need to look out for depending on the year car you're considering and don't be afraid to ask questions of the owner.